Hallmark Wanted To Replace ‘Old People’ With New Stars, Lawsuit Claims

A former Hallmark casting agent has filed an age discrimination lawsuit alleging network executive Lisa Hamilton Daly wanted to stop “old people” like her. Lacey Chabert again Holly Robinson Peete in their films.

Penny Perryfiled Oct. 9 in Los Angeles Superior Court, says Hamilton Daly — Hallmark’s VP of programming — cited Chabert, 42, and Robinson Peete, 60, as examples of “old talent” that should be “taken place, ” according to documents obtained by Variety Wednesday, October 23.

In this case, Hamilton Daly was quoted as saying that Chabert “is getting old and we have to find someone like him to fill his place as he gets older.”

Regarding Robinson Peete, Hamilton is said to have said: “Nobody wants him because he’s too expensive and he’s getting old.” He can no longer play the main positions.”

Perry, 79, says he was fired in April after working with the Hallmark Channel for nine years, and that two months earlier, he received a strong performance review.

But according to the veteran actor, Hamilton Daly often told him he was “too tall for birds” and tried to get him out of the company as he looked to hire “new talent.”

“We need to bring in someone who knows a little bit of talent,” the suit quotes Hamilton Daly as saying. “Our leading ladies are getting old.”

Us Weekly has reached out to reps of Hallmark, Chabert and Robinson Peete for comment.

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Perry’s broadcasting credits include Cocoa, Ordinary People again The Jerkand many Hallmark holiday movies, most recently Biltmore Christmas again Holiday Hotline.

Hamilton Daly joined Hallmark in 2021 following Netflix and A+E Networks.

Perry says that under the leadership of the executive committee, his office was moved to another floor and he no longer had meetings as one of his programs was taken over by a consultant working outside of Hallmark, Variety. He alleges that Hallmark filled his position with a young man after letting him go.

The case comes as Hallmark prepares to release it “Countdown to Christmas” List with 47 new films available on all its platforms.

Chabert comes from the side Kristoffer Polaha in the middle Christmas Questwhich premieres on December 1 and follows the adventures of an archaeologist and her ex-husband who travel to Iceland in search of treasure. The actor is the main producer of the film. He also hosts a reality show, Celebrations With Lacey Chaberton the Hallmark streaming service.

“These films mean a lot to me. I’m right when I say that,” said Chabert Us in October 2021 for his longtime partnership with Hallmark. “It’s not just a job, and I feel a responsibility to the audience to make the best film I can.”